Finishing a roof with stone has origins in 12th century England and France, and the trade is still alive today, requiring specialized skills, tools and structural preparation. One of the common stone materials used in North America is slate shingles.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF SLATE ROOFING:

• Slate is a metamorphic rock, formed from the compression of sedimentary layers. It is quarried with special care, to split the rock parallel to the layer orientation to make flat shingles.
• Slate shingles are 'hung' on a roof surface rather than held on by multiple fasteners. A hole is punched from the back of the slate, which creates a divot or countersink on the front face. The hanging nail is set flush with this countersink, allowing the slate to hang on the shaft of the nail.
• The process of putting slate on a roof is labour intensive and lengthy. This makes slate one of the most expensive roofing finishes.
• Slate shingles can be shaped using a manual cutting machine, with a knife arm attached to a flat work surface where the shingle rests when being cut. Electric cutters are also used in modern slate applications.
• Damaged slate shingles can be replaced using a tool called a 'slate ripper', which is a combination of a pry bar, hammer and a cutting tool.

ADDED RESOURCE ON SLATE ROOF REPAIR: Handyman Know How - Broken Slate Roof